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        Cynthia's parents were French, although the origin of the Depuy name is Italian.  It is derived from Del Poggios and many members of this family were dukes and marquises as far back as the tenth century.  The ancestors of Cynthia's parents were living in Normandy, France, by the start of the 16th century.  Nicholas Dupui, who came with his brother Francois to America, left France in October of 1662.  It seems likely that they made this journey because of political or religious persecution.  The records show that they were forced to give up a position of wealth in 1651 when they barely escaped being arrested, after being warned by a friend to flee.  As it did to so many others, America beckoned as a hope for a new life, and they followed that hope. 

        Cynthia was married at least twice, and may have been married four times.  According to the book "Boone County Ill. Marriage Records" (1838-1868), she was married on Oct 31, 1846, by Justice of the Peace Drake, to Amasa S. Ireland.  This marriage was apparently not a happy one, and a separation ensued, after which Mr. Ireland left her for the California gold fields, and was never heard from again.  Cynthia had a daughter Melisa Ireland, who was born about 1848.  The 1850 census shows Melisa living with Cynthia's parents, where she apparently was sent after Amasa left his wife and child.  Cynthia married John Spears Erwin in 1852, and they had 5 children together.  The 1860 census shows John Spears and Cynthia living in Caledonia, Boone County, with all seven of his children from his first marriage, and  the four that they had conceived by that date.  She and John moved from Boone County sometime after 1860.  Upon his death in 1868, his body was brought back to Boone county and buried by William Sharp Erwin, a son of his first marriage.  
                             
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